Single Idea 23672

[catalogued under 23. Ethics / C. Virtue Theory / 1. Virtue Theory / b. Basis of virtue]

Full Idea

A man cannot be virtuous, if he has no regard to duty.

Gist of Idea

To be virtuous, we must care about duty

Source

Thomas Reid (Essays on Active Powers 3: Princs of action [1788], 5)

Book Reference

Reid,Thomas: 'Inquiry and Essays', ed/tr. Beanblossom /K.Lehrer [Hackett 1983], p.315


A Reaction

Thus are Aristotle and Kant united in a simple sentence. Aristotle thinks that a virtuous person thereby sees what is the right thing to do, but I take 'duty' to imply a requirement which comes not from good character but from external society.